Latino Contributions to the Founding of America
While exploring the contributions of Spanish colonial Governor of Louisiana Bernardo de Galvez, I came upon important research that shed light on the significant role that this brave military officer and other Texas citizens played in helping General George Washington...
Preserving Mexican Cultural Heritage in San Antonio
A recent article in the New York Times, “Growth Tests a New San Antonio” by Patrick Sisson [Oct. 5, 2021], noted that “Some fear projects will threaten downtown’s Mexican American heritage.” The actual threat to the Mexican American communities of the downtown Mexican...
Women and Activism in the Westside Exhibit and Website
The Museo del Westside museodelwestside.org, a project of the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, has added 3 new profiles to its virtual exhibit “Women and Activism in the Westside.” The exhibit features women activists in the historic westside of San Antonio,...
Latinos Missing in U.S. Historical Memorials
History usually belongs to the victors. Although the Union won the Civil War and saved democracy in the United States, there are more than 2,000 Confederate monuments, place names, and other symbols that remain in public places across the country. This disturbing fact...
A Hero’s Heart
A hero is the heart of a city A response to those in need A flight that soars wings on winds una fuerza incesante a majesty A hero’s heart is a monument a mountain bound to humanity an unrelenting gaze into the eyes of a child a mother a family A witness to barriers...
Lowriding is Familia
With this month being Hispanic Heritage Month, what better way to celebrate it than by attending a lowrider car show. One of the biggest car shows in San Antonio is the Low Low Car Show Concert and Culture Fest. On September 18, 2021, the 14th Annual Low Low Car Show...
Ignacio Arellano Sr. His Life Story
Mr. Ignacio Arellano Sr. was a long time resident of San Antonio, Texas, having come to this city in November of 1914 and never been away from it except while on vacations or business trips. He was born in the city of Guanajuato, capital of the state of Guanajuato,...
Abraham Mojica: Making Magic Through Art
Abraham Mojica has a fascination with bulls, horses, elephants, tigers, and alligators. Over his short career of seven years as an artist, he has painted dozens of these large animals. These animals, elephants, horses, and tigers, for example, are nostalgic...
Americo Paredes: Scholar, Poet, Musician, Teacher, and Mentor
In my fifty years of academic life, I have interacted with hundreds of scholars and graduate students. When I first met Americo Paredes I knew I had encountered a true “Renaissance man.” Don Americo’s career included journalism, radio broadcasting, scholarship, and...
Santiago Jimenez, Jr.: A Latino Music Legend
Santiago Jimenez, Jr., one of the brightest Tejano musical stars of his generation, has recorded 85 conjunto CDs and eight LPs, for a total of more than 1000 songs and accordion instrumentals. This year marks his 63rd year as a recording artist. His recording career...